What To Think About

Indirect ophthalmoscopy is a
more difficult procedure and requires greater skill and more specialized
equipment than direct ophthalmoscopy, so it is generally done by
ophthalmologists and
optometrists.

Indirect ophthalmoscopy has several advantages
over direct ophthalmoscopy:

It allows better visualization of the
inside of the eye when a cataract is present.

It provides a
three-dimensional (3-D) view of the back of the eye, allowing a more detailed
view of certain eye conditions (such as growths, optic nerve swelling, or
retinal detachment).

It allows a wider view of the back of the
eye.

If your doctor suspects a problem with the blood
vessels in your eye, a test called eye angiography may be done. This test uses
fluorescein dye and a camera to photograph blood vessels in the eye. To learn more, see the topic
Eye Angiogram.